Monday,
January 16

No School - Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday,
January 17

Class work:  Checked the review sheets.  Make sure to show me your review sheet to get points.  I also passed back papers and checked online grades.  See me to get your papers back.  We then reviewed for the mid-term exam.  All remaining students will present today.  Due to so many absences, only the pairs that were prepared were allowed to present.  The reflection assignment is cancelled. 

• You will either present OR

• You will write a paper.  If your partner stuck you on your own, your reflection will only be over the two countries that you prepared.  You will need to write a topic sentence for each of the two paragraphs, with at least five sentences of support. 

The first paragraph should explain why you would choose to live in a particular country.  Make sure to tell why you choose to live there based on the comfort and safety of living in that country.  Also, tell why you should be sent there as a journalist.  Why is that country important for you to report on for the next six months?

The second paragraph should explain why you did not choose to live in the other country that you researched.  Make sure to give important details to show why you would not live in that region.

Homework:  Organize note books to be checked during your exam time.  Finish any incomplete portions of your mid-term review sheet.  Study for your mid-term test.  If you are not presenting, write the paper.  This assignment is due at the exam time on Thursday, January 19 at 12:30.

Monday,
January 9

Class work: Finished going over The Israel Timeline from Friday.  Pull this note page, from the Friday folder or download it, then read it and keep it in the World Issues section of your notebook.  We then watched a 20-minute video on life in Israel.  While watching, make a list of at least 10 ways life in Israel is similar to life in the US, and at least 10 ways that life in Israel is different than life in the US.  Introduced the Foreign Journalism project.  Go to this web page and read the Introduction, then follow the red "Next" boxes to click on the next part of the directions.  Read all of the way through the directions, so you are prepared for tomorrow.

Homework:  Begin research if you are a slower reader.  Call your partner and decide how you will split up the duties of the project.

Tuesday,
January 10

Class work: In-class library research day.  After dividing up the work with your partner, today you will research one of your two countries using the provided links.  Make sure to pay attention to the directions for this stage of the project.  All details of the Foreign Journalism assignment are available at this link.

Homework:  For homework, finish any of the website readings for the first country that you are researching.  Also, work on the Mid-term exam review questions #1 - 37.

Wednesday,
January 11

Class work: In-class library research day.  After dividing up the work with your partner, today you will research the second of your two countries using the provided links.  Make sure to pay attention to the directions for this stage of the project.  All details of the Foreign Journalism assignment are available at this link.

Homework:  For homework, finish any of the website readings for the second country that you are researching.  Also, work on the Mid-term exam review questions #38 - 73.

Thursday,
January 12

Class work: In the classroom today, you will work with your partner to share the information on all four of the countries.  After discussing those countries, decide which one you will use for your presentation.  Begin to prepare your presentation.  Please refer to the directions for this stage of the project.  All details of the Foreign Journalism assignment are available at this link.

Homework:  For homework, finish planning and writing out your half of the speech/presentation.  Call your partner and practice your speech.  Time yourself.  Also, work on the Mid-term exam review questions #74 - 108.

Friday,
January 13

Class work: All students will present today.  Due to so many absences, only the pairs that were prepared were allowed to present.  The reflection assignment is cancelled. 

• You will either present OR

• You will write a paper.  If your partner stuck you on your own, your reflection will only be over the two countries that you prepared.  You will need to write a topic sentence for each of the two paragraphs, with at least five sentences of support. 

The first paragraph should explain why you would choose to live in a particular country.  Make sure to tell why you choose to live there based on the comfort and safety of living in that country.  Also, tell why you should be sent there as a journalist.  Why is that country important for you to report on for the next six months?

The second paragraph should explain why you did not choose to live in the other country that you researched.  Make sure to give important details to show why you would not live in that region.

Homework:  Write the two-paragraph reflection assignment.  Read directions here if you have lost yours or if you have been absent.  Also, finish the Mid-term exam review questions #109 - 150.  If you are not presenting, write the paper.  This assignment is due at the exam time on Thursday, January 19 at 12:30.

Monday,
January 2

No School - Last Day of Winter Break.

Tuesday,

January 3

Class work: Passed back papers and checked online grades.  Students organized the sheets into their notebooks.  Passed back the test from before break and went over the answers.  Finished the video on Jerusalem from Wednesday, December 21, then handed it in for class work points.  This is a required video to make up, so make sure to pull the sheet or download it.  See me to schedule a time.

Homework:  None.

Wednesday,

January 4

Class work: Watched Part 2 of the Jerusalem video.  Pull the work sheet from the in class folder or download it here, and make sure to schedule a time to come in to watch the documentary.  This is a required video to make up, so make sure to hand the sheet in for a grade. The remainder of class was used for students to begin the book work assignment about Israel and Palestine.  See me to sign out a textbook to read to complete this page.  Pull the work sheet from the in class folder or download it here.

Homework:  For homework, finish the front side of the questions (#1 - 10) from your book on Israel and Palestine that we started in class.

Thursday,

January 5

Class work: Watched last night's World News Tonight and this morning's CNN Student News.  Pull the video sheet from the in class folder or download it.  If you need to make up the tape, pull the video sheet and schedule a time to watch.  If you don't need to make up the tape, pull the video sheet and get the answers from a classmate so you have the information in your notes.

Homework:  For homework, finish the back side of the book work questions from last night.  Start with question #11 and on page 615.

Friday,

January 6

Class work: Discussed then collected last night's homework from your textbook.  We reviewed the Middle East and Israel reading from December 1.  If you need another copy of the page, download here:  reading front and reading back.  We then went over new notes on Israel.  Pull this note page, The Israel Timeline, from the in class folder or download it, then read it and keep it in the World Issues section of your notebook. 

Homework:  None.

Class work: Checked last night's homework.  The class discussed the review sheet and played a review game to be ready for tomorrow's test.

Homework:  Finish any incomplete questions on the Review Sheet for Test #3.   Organize notebook for Tuesday, December 20.  Study for the tomorrow's test. 

"Women of al Qaeda" article and questions are due the day we return from break, January 3, 2006.  None will be accepted late.

Homework:  "Women of al Qaeda" article and questions are due the day we return from break, January 3, 2006.  None will be accepted late.

Homework:  "Women of al Qaeda" article and questions are due the day we return from break, January 3, 2006.  None will be accepted late.

Class work: Watched the CNN News show from December 5 and 6.  Pull the video worksheet from the in class folder or download it.  See me to schedule a time to make it  up; see below.  We also watched a video clip on the London explosion from this past weekend and a clip about Stanley Williams.  You do not need to make up the second set of clips.

Homework:  Read the article "Should Stanley 'Tookie' Williams be Given Clemency?"  After reading, write an opinion paragraph on whether Williams should be executed or whether he should be given clemency (life in prison).  Make sure to write a topic sentence with your opinion clearly stated; then follow your topic sentence with at least five sentences of support.

Class work: Reviewed the Middle East Map.  If you need another blank map to practice for the test, download it here.  Finished the notes on Islam from last week.  We also discussed the French riots and racial tension in Europe and reviewed key ideas of Islam.

Homework:  Read the two articles on facial transplants.  Pull the page from the in class folder or download it here: front side and back side.  Then, write a paragraph on whether or not doctors should perform face transplants for people who are disfigured.  Make sure to create a topic sentence that explains your opinions and follow that topic sentence with 5 or 6 sentences of support.  Also, study the Middle East map for a Map Test on Thursday, December 15.

Class work: Reviewed the Middle East Map in the beginning of class.  If you need another blank map to practice for the test, download it here.  We read and highlighted important facts on the page "Europe Needs a New Identity."  We then finished discussing the French riots and racial tensions.  If time, we'll review the map at the end of class too.

Homework:  Study the Middle East map for a Map Test on Thursday, December 15.

Class work: Students took the test on the map of the Middle East.  See me to schedule a time to make up this test.  Passed out the questions over the "Women of al Qaeda" article.  This article will be due the day we return from break, January 3, 2006.  None will be accepted late. The class worked on their review sheets for most of the period.

Homework:  Begin the Review Sheet for Test #3.  Pull Page 1 from the in class folder or download it.  Tonight, complete questions #1 through 35.  Organize notebook for Tuesday, December 20.  Study for the Tuesday's test.

Class work: Checked last night's homework.  The class continued to work on their review sheets and notebooks for Tuesday's test.

Homework:  Finish the Review Sheet for Test #3.  Pull page 2 from the in class folder or download it.  Tonight, complete questions # 36 through the rest of the sheet.  Organize notebook for Tuesday, December 20.  Study for the Tuesday's test.  "Women of al Qaeda" article and questions are due the day we return from break, January 3, 2006.  None will be accepted late.

Class work: Passed back papers and organized them into your notebook.  See Miss Scharf to have your papers returned. Half of the class had a discussion with Mr. Niemczura about the "Debate over Torture" article.  The other half had a discussion with Miss Scharf.  See Miss Scharf to find out which group you were in, and what you need to do to make up what you missed.

Homework:  None.

Class work: Reviewed the previous material about Islam and the Middle East.  Then the class took notes on the history of Islam.  Pull the note page from the in class folder and get the notes from a class mate or download the notes.

Homework:  Read the pages on the French riots.  In one color, highlight short phrases of important details about the riots.  In a second color, highlight short phrases about the economic causes of the riots. In a third color, highlight short phrases about the non-economic causes of the riots.  Pull the reading from the in class folder or download it here: front side and back side.

No School - Snow Day

Class work: Finished yesterday's notes.  Then we discussed last night's homework, then collected it.  Watched the CNN Newsroom shows from November 28 through December 1.  Download the video sheet here or see the information below about making-up videos.

Homework:  Read the page on "Europe's Time Bomb."  Pull the page from the in class folder or download it.  While reading, in one color, highlight short phrases of important details about what immigrant life is like.  In a second color, highlight short phrases of suggestions for how to improve Europe's race problems.

Class work: Discussed last night's homework, then collected it.  After that, we played Current Events game.

Homework:  None.

Monday,
November 28

Class work: Collected the "Debate over Torture"   homework. Make sure to turn yours in. We reviewed the foreign currency calculations, currency exchange speculation, and the role of the Federal Reserve in money supply.  Then read and underline or highlight short phrases of important information on the reading "Which is Better a Strong or Weak US Dollar?"  Pull this reading from the in class folder or go to this link and print out pages 5 and 6 only.  The economics lessons were supposed to be wrapped up before break, so in the second half of class, we began a new topic - Islam.  Download or pull the KWL chart.  Fill in the "K" and the "W" columns of the chart, writing down what you know about Islam or Muslims in the "K" column and what you want to know in the "W" column.  At least three things are needed for each column.  Hand this page in after it is filled out.  Finally, we started to watch the "Muslims in America" episode of 30 Days.  We only watched the first 12 minutes, so schedule a time to make up the beginning.  Pull the video worksheet from the in class folder or download it.

Homework:  None.

Tuesday,
November 29

Class work: Collected late assignments from over break.  We continued to watch the "Muslims in America" episode of 30 Days.  Pull the video worksheet from the in class folder or download it.  See the information below about making-up videos. 

Homework:  Pull from the in class folder or download the Religions Quiz.  Every question must be answered for tomorrow.  Answer to the best of your ability.  You can ask family or friends (who are NOT in the class) for help.

Wednesday,
November 30

Class work: Checked last night's homework, then went over the correct answers for numbers 1 to 28.  See Miss Scharf or a classmate to get the right answers.  We finished watching the "Muslims in America" episode of 30 Days.  See me to schedule a time to finish watching it, and make sure to turn in your video page for points.

Homework:  Read the page on the differences between the Shia and Sunni Muslims.  While reading, highlight in one color short phrases about the beliefs of the Shia and in another color short phrases of the beliefs of the Sunni.  Then with a third color, highlight short phrases of important facts about relations between the two groups today.  Pull this reading from the in class folder or download it here: front side and back side.

Thursday,
December 1

Class work: Went over the correct answers for numbers 28 to 40 on the Religions Quiz page.  See me or a classmate to get the right answers.  Filled in the map of the Middle East.  Pull a blank one from the in class folder or download it, and then get the map locations from me or from a classmate.  Then the class started the reading on Middle East Issues.  Pull the page from the in class folder or download here:  reading front and reading back.  While reading underline or highlight short phrases of important information.

Homework:  Finish reading  and highlighting/underlining the page on The Middle East.

Friday,
December 2

No School - Teacher In-Service Day

Monday,
November 21

Class work: Mr. Niemczura explained the role of the Federal Reserve Bank.  See him to get any missed notes.  During class, we read pages on the Fed and practiced the skill of highlighting short phrases of important ideas.  Pull the pages from the in class folder or download them: page 1 front, page 1 back, page 2 front, page 2 back, and page 3 front.  Watched a short clip from Catch Me If You Can to illustrate how the Federal Reserve System works.  (In the movie, he uses the structure of the banking system to commit check fraud).

Homework:  Finish reading any pages not done in class.  Underline or highlight short phrases of important ideas.

Tuesday,

November 22

Class work: Checked last night's homework and finished discussing the Federal Reserve.  See how many currencies you know of.  Pull the 1/2 sheet from the folder or download the page.  After you guess, check your answers over the country of origin for each type of currency. 

Finally, in class we completed the worksheet on Currency Conversion.  To answer the questions, you will need to know how to convert currency.  If you want to know how much an item costs in foreign dollars, take the amount in US dollars and multiply it by the exchange rate.  This gives you how much it will cost in foreign dollars.

• Example: a CD costs $15 in the US, how much would it cost in Canada? 

• Canada's exchange rate is $1.19. 

• Take 15 multiplied by $1.19 = a cost of $17.85 in Canadian dollars.

To find out how much an item costs in US dollars, divide.

• Example: a pair of shoes cost 45 pounds in England

• England's exchange rate is 0.58

• Take 45 divided by 0.58 = a cost of $77.59 in US dollars

Homework:  Pull the pages from the in class folder or download the following.  First, download the vocabulary for these two articles and scan over it before you read.  Then read "The Debate over Torture" and "Torture's Terrible Toll."  After reading, answer the questions on the article worksheet.  Once the questions are finished, follow the instructions on the page to write the opinion assignment.  This is due on Monday, November 28.

Thanksgiving

Break

No School - Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

Monday,

November 14

Class work: Watched the CNN Student News show for November 10, 11, and 14.  Download the video sheet here or see the information below about making-up videos.  This is the second video of the second quarter.  Passed out the parent letter about conference night.  This needs to be signed and returned ASAP.  Get one from me in class or download the letter here: front side and back side.

Homework:  Read the article The Price of Loyalty.  While reading, use the vocabulary on the back for better understanding while you read; then answer the questions that are written on the back of the reading.  Make sure to answer in complete sentences and in your own words.

Tuesday,

November 15

Class work: Collected last night's homework and the signed parent letters.  Make sure to hand yours in.  The class learned how to write a check and how to keep a checkbook ledger.  Make sure to either pull the practice pages from the in class folder or download them here: checks and ledger.  See Mr. Niemczura to see the overhead examples of how these are filled out.  If you want to see the explanation yourself or if you need further practice, read pages 16, 18, and 19 of the Introduction to Banking Lesson.  (It will take a few minutes to load, then you can scroll down to the page numbers that you need.)  Then, the class was introduced to the Federal Reserve System.

Homework:  Read the pages on Benjamin Bernanke and Alan Greenspan and underline or highlight short phrases of important information.  Pull the readings from the in class folder or download them here: Bernanke 1, Bernanke 2, Greenspan 1, and Greenspan 2.

Wednesday,

November 16

Class work: Collected last night's homework. Make sure to turn yours in. We practiced writing four more checks, two deposit slips, and filled in the rest of the check register.  Copy these as notes from a classmate.

Homework:  Using the budget sheet, think back through the last week.  Starting with last Friday, right down your daily purchases through any spending that you do today.  Pull the necessary page from the in class folder or write out your list on a sheet of notebook paper.  It should have a list of spending by date, listing what you purchased, the amount it cost, and the place you spent the money.

Thursday,

November 17

Class work: Mr. Niemczura demonstrated how to balance a check book.  See him to get an explanation.  Then we looked at the charts and started to read the page from Newsweek on finance advice.  Pull the page from the in class folder or download it here: front side and back side.

Homework:  Finishing reading the Finance Advice page that was passed out in class today.  Read and underline or highlight short phrases of main ideas.  Then, take a look at your weekly spending and compare that with the advice that the article gives on how to improve at saving your money.  Write a list of 5 to 10 things that you know you could do to cut your personal spending and increase your savings.

Friday,

November 18

Class work: Collected last night's homework.  Go to the website for the Federal Reserve and follow the steps on the slide show on the Life of a Check. Read each step, filling in the note sheet as you read. Make sure to hit the "Next" button to move to the next step in the process until you reach the end. Reviewed how to balance and reconcile a checkbook.  Then, we played Current Events game.

Homework:  None.

Monday,

November 7

Class work: Pull from the in class folder or download here the readings on Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, and Issue 5.  Read and keep them.  We discussed the issues and the positives and negatives behind each one.

Homework:  Review sheet # 1 to 29.  Pull it from the in class folder or download it here.  Organize notebooks and study for Friday's test.

Tuesday,

November 8

No School - Election Day

Wednesday,

November 9

Class work: Checked Monday night's review sheet homework.  In class time to work on the review sheet for Friday's test.  During class, you should try to complete # 30 to 60.  Whatever you don't finish is added onto tonight's homework.

Homework:  Review sheet # 61 to 84.  Pull it from the in class folder or download it here.  Organize notebooks and study for Friday's test.

Thursday,

November 10

Class work: Checked last night's review sheet homework.  Reviewed for tomorrow's test.

Homework:  Finish any incomplete portions of your review sheet.  Organize notebooks and study for tomorrow's test.

Friday,

November 11

Class work: The class took Test # 2.  If you're absent, see me in the morning to schedule a time to make up the test prior to mods 15-16.  Make sure to turn in your notebook and review sheet to be graded.

Homework:  None.

Monday,

October 31

Class work: Passed back papers and calculated the quarter grades.  See Miss Scharf to get your papers back.  The class spent most of the period organizing their papers into their notebooks.  Read the notebook Table of Contents to help organize your notebooks.

Homework:  None.

Tuesday,

November 1

Class work: The class took notes from the overhead on women world leaders.  Get the notes from a classmate or download them here.  Watched the CNN Student News show for October 31.  Download the video sheet here or see the information below about making-up videos.  This is the first video of the second quarter.  Started to take notes on the CIA leak investigation.  Pull these from the in class folder or download them here.

Homework:  Read and underline or highlight short phrases of important ideas on the reading over Bush's plan for a flu pandemic.  Pull the article from the in class folder or download it here.

Wednesday,

November 2

Class work: The class continued the notes on the CIA leak investigation.  Pull these from the in class folder or download them here. 

Homework:  None.

Thursday,

November 3

Class work: The class finished the notes on the CIA leak investigation.  Pull these from the in class folder or download them here.  Then the class read and highlighted the page on Tuesday's closed door session of the Senate. Pull the reading or download it here.

Homework:  Read and underline or highlight short phrases of important ideas on the half-page biography over Supreme Court nominee, Samuel Alito.  Then for the second half of the reading, underline or highlight Alito's beliefs in one color, and O'Connor's beliefs in a different color.  Pull the reading from the in class folder or download it here.

Friday,

November 4

Class work: Checked last night's homework; make sure to hand in yours.  The class played the current events game. 

Homework:  None.

Monday,

October 24

Class work: The class watched the special, The Next Big One.  Download the video sheet or pull from the in class folder and schedule a time to make up the video, or see below.

Homework:  Read and underline or highlight short phrases of important information on the readings over the bird flu and over pneumonia.  Download these readings here.

Tuesday,

October 25

Class work: Checked last night's homework and discussed the article.  Make sure to turn yours in for points.  Watched a portion of CNN Student News and completed the front half of the video sheet.  Download the video sheet here or see the information below about make-up videos.  In class, we also read and highlighted historical information on the flu of 1918.  Pull this reading from the in class folder or download it here: front side and back side.

Homework:  Read and underline or highlight short phrases of important information on the National Geographic readings about the 1918 Influenza and Bird Flu.

Wednesday,

October 26

Class work: Finished CNN Student News clips and video sheet from yesterday.*See below.  Checked last night's homework and discussed the article.  Make sure to turn yours in for points.  On the overhead the class took notes on the United Nations.  Download them here. 

Homework:  None.

Thursday,

October 27

Class work: Pop quiz over influenza.  See me to schedule a time to make up the quiz.  Continued the discussion on the United Nations from yesterday.  The class read and highlighted important information on the United Nations.  Pull from the in class folder or download here the  UN System chart and the other UN readings.

Homework:  Finish reading any of the United Nations pages if they are not completed during class.

Friday,

October 28

Class work: The class played a game to see how a pandemic like bird flu can spread.  There’s nothing to make up, but ask a class mate about the activity to see what it was all about.

Homework:  None.

Monday,

October 17

No School - Teacher In-Service Day

Tuesday,

October 18

Class work: Checked weekend homework readings on the NYC subway hoax and the Bali bombings.  I collected the opinion paragraphs on a woman for president.  Make sure to hand in yours.  Watched CNN Student News from Friday, Monday, and today.  Pull the video page and schedule a time to make up the video if you need to do so.  *See below. 

Homework:  Read and underline or highlight short phrases of information on the article "Is San Francisco Ready?"  This page is located on the back of the NYC Subway/Bali readings.  Pull the page with all three articles from the in class folder or download the back side of the reading here.

Wednesday,
October 19

Class work: Checked last night's homework.  Make sure to get yours checked to earn points.  We discussed the NYC subway hoax, the Bali bombings, "Is San Francisco Ready?" and then discussed the article "The Time is Right."

Homework:  Pull from the in class folder or download here the page on the Bradys.  Read the article and underline or highlight short phrases of important information.  For the timeline, you do not need to highlight important info, because it's all important, so instead, for the timeline, choose the five or six things that you think are most important and underline or highlight only those.

Thursday,

October 20

Class work: Checked last night's homework.  Make sure to get yours checked to earn points.  In class, we read the NRA's 2005 Firearms Fact Card and the page on the Million Mom March.  Pull print versions of these from the in class folder or follow the links, print out the pages, and highlight short phrases of important information while you read.  We discussed whether or not members of the class agreed with the positions of the NRA.  Watched CNN Student News from yesterday, and today.  Pull the video page and schedule a time to make up the video if you need to do so.  *See below. 

Homework:  Pull from the in class folder or download the page on Florida's "Shoot First" Law.  After reading the article and underlining or highlighting short phrases of important information, then write an opinion paragraph on whether or not you support the law.  Directions and needed articles are linked here.

Friday,
October 21

Class work: Collected last night's homework and discussed it.  After the discussion, the page was collected.  Make sure to hand yours in to earn points.  The class played the current events game. 

Homework:  None.

Monday,

October 10

Class work: Pull from the in class folder or download here the extra credit puzzle.  Students were given time to work in pairs to complete it.  The puzzle is due tomorrow for extra credit points.

Homework: Read the article on Tom DeLay and the vocabulary on the back.  This opinion article is a very harsh criticism of DeLay.  While you read, underline statements that you agree with, and circle statements that you disagree with.

Tuesday,

October 11

Class work:  Watched CNN Student News.  Pull the video page and schedule a time to make up the video if you need to do so.  *See below.  I checked last night's homework.  Make sure to turn yours in.  We discussed the homework article.  Pull from the in class folder or download here the explanation of Compassionate Conservatism.  The class read the page, and we discussed how Tom DeLay's beliefs differ from the President's.

Homework:  Begin to read the article, "The Exterminator."  Tonight, answer questions #1 to 8 on the worksheet for this article.

Wednesday,

October 12

Class work: Pull from the in class folder or download here the notes on the roles in the House and Senate, also download the article from the back side of the notes on "DeLay's Wheeling and Dealing".  Finished reading "The Exterminator" and answering the questions that go with it.  This assignment was turned in for class work points.

Homework: None for most students, for those who need more time, finish reading the article, "The Exterminator."  Finishing answering all of the questions on the worksheet for this article.

Thursday,

October 13

Class work: The tape for CNN student news didn't work, so pull the video page and get the page filled in as notes.  Discussed, then collected the questions on the Exterminator article.  On the front side of the sheet, there's "When is it Time to Be Worried?" and "Bali’s Cruel Month."

Homework:

1. Finish reading, "When is it Time to Be Worried?" and "Bali’s Cruel Month."  As you read, underline or highlight short phrases of main ideas.  (Don't worry about reading the back side with the article "Is San Francisco Ready?"  We will read that article next week.) 

2. Also, read the article "The Time is Right."  After reading, write the opinion paragraph on a sheet of notebook paper for Tuesday.  Pull the article from the in class folder, or download it here.

Friday,

October 14

No School - NEOEA Day

Monday,

October 3

Class work:  Discussed the Reconstruction plans that were created on Friday.  Then the pages were collected.  Make sure to turn yours in.  Watched World News Tonight from Wednesday of last week.  Make sure to schedule a time to make up the video.  Pull from the in-class folder or download here the video worksheet.  This is due for class work points.

Homework: Review Sheet for Test #1.  Tonight answer questions # 1 through 36.  Study for test on Thursday, October 6.  Have notebooks organized to be checked on Thursday.

Tuesday,

October 4

Class work:  Checked last night's homework.  Watched World News Tonight from Thursday of last week.  Make sure to schedule a time to make up the video.  Pull from the in-class folder or download here the video worksheet and the second part to the video page.  This is due for class work points.  We also watched the video clip about Kyle Maynard.  Any extra class time will be used to review.

Homework: Review Sheet for Test #1.  Tonight answer questions # 37 through 73. Study for test on Thursday, October 6.  Have notebooks organized to be checked on Thursday.

Wednesday,

October 5

Class work:  Checked last night's review sheet.  Reviewed for tomorrow's test.

Homework: Finish any incomplete sections of the review sheet.  Study for test on Thursday, October 6.  Have notebooks organized to be checked on Thursday.

Thursday,

October 6

Class work:  Test #1 over the past four weeks of news.  See me to schedule a time to make it up.  Also make sure to turn in your review sheet and your binder to be graded.

Homework: None.

Friday,

October 7

Class work:  Played Current Events game.

Homework: None.

Monday,

September 26

Class work:  Download or pull from the in-class folder the  How Would You Survive in Poverty quiz.  Take the quiz to see how you would do if you were suddenly in the conditions of poverty.  The class then took notes on conditions of Poverty in America.  Pull the notes from the in-class folder or download them here.

Homework: None.

Tuesday,

September 27

Class work:  Finished the notes on Poverty in America from yesterday.  Pull the notes from the in-class folder or download them here.  To compare the values of the different classes, students took the other two quizzes:  How Would You Survive in the Middle Class and How Would you Survive in Wealth.

Homework: None

Wednesday,

September 28

Class work:  Passed back papers.  See me to get your papers back.  The class took the time to organize notebooks.  Check the Notebook Table of Contents to see how to organize the readings and assignments.

Homework: Read article "Cash and Category 5 Chaos."  Pull from the in-class folder or download it here: front side and back side.  While reading, underline or highlight short phrases of important information while reading.  This will be checked for homework points, so make sure to turn yours in.

Thursday,

September 29

Class work:  Checked last night's homework.  Then we discussed the reading and the failures of FEMA during the hurricanes.  The class took notes over a timeline of events in Hurricane Katrina.  Get these notes from a class mate or download them here.  Passed back more papers and checked stickers.  See me to get your papers back and to have your stickers checked.  See me if you need help organizing your notebook or check the Notebook Table of Contents.

Homework: Read over the final pages on poverty.  Pull them from the in-class folder or download them here: front side and back side. 

Friday,

September 30

Class work:  Working in pairs, you will be creating a reconstruction plan for the Gulf States following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.  Pull from the in-class folder or download here the Reconstruction Sheet.  Prioritize the needs of the area to create a timetable for recovery.

Homework: None.

Monday,

September 19

Class work:  Reviewed Gulf Coast Map.  Read the article "Boy Brain, Girl Brain" and answer the questions over it.  The class then discussed the article.

Homework: Study for the Gulf Coast Map Test on Friday, September 23.  Finish questions for homework if not done in class.

Tuesday,

September 20

Class work:  Collected unfinished questions from Boy Brain, Girl Brain article.  Reviewed Gulf Coast Map.  Everyone started reading the article "The Other America."  This is too large to scan, so pick up a hard copy from the make-up work folder in the classroom, or get the magazine from the library.  The article appeared in Newsweek, last week.  The issue is dated September 19, 2005.  The questions to answer are available here.  Students will be given all of class on Thursday to finish the article and the questions.  If it's not done by the end of class on Thursday, then it will become Thursday night's homework.

Homework: Study for the Gulf Coast Map Test on Friday, September 23.

Wednesday,

September 21

Class work:  Watched the Minimum Wage episode of the series, 30 Days.  Schedule a time to make up the video if you miss class.  Make sure to pull from the in-class folder or download here the video questions.

Homework: Study for the Gulf Coast Map Test on Friday, September 23.

Thursday,

September 22

Class work:  Reviewed Gulf Coast Map.  All of class is to spend today reading the Newsweek "Other America" article and answering the questions.  Pull a copy of the article from the in-class folder or get the article from the September 19, 2005 issue of Newsweek.

Homework: Study for the Gulf Coast Map Test on Friday, September 23.  Finish the Other America questions for homework if not done by the end of  class.

Friday,

September 23

Class work:  Took Gulf States map test.  See me to schedule a time to make yours up.  Discussed the article "The Other America."  Played Current Events the second half of class.

Homework: None.

Monday,

September 12

Class work: In the first 5 minutes of class, students read the "This is a National Disgrace" article.  While reading, underline what you agree with and circle what you disagree with.  Discussed the article.  We then looked at examples of Katrina political cartoons and discussed the appropriateness of the humor.  We also read portions of last week's issue of The Onion.  Again, we talked about the role of satire in a time of national crisis.

Homework: None.

Tuesday,

September 13

Class work: The class worked in pairs to fill in a diagram to illustrate the similarities between the 1905 San Francisco earthquake, the 1901 Galveston hurricane, and Hurricane Katrina.  This page is too large to scan.  See me to get the page and an explanation.

Homework: Read the opinion article "Dipping His Toe into Disaster."  Answer the questions on the back of the reading.

Wednesday,

September 14

Class work: Finished looking at and discussing selections from The Onion.  The class reviewed the Gulf States map.  There will be a map test at the end of next week.  I introduced our discussion of the current Supreme Court issues.  The class took notes over facts about the Supreme Court.  Get these notes from me or from a classmate.

Homework: Read the Supreme Court article and the Alberto Gonzales page.  For both, read, then underline or highlight short phrases of important information.

Thursday,

September 15

Class work: Reviewed Gulf States Map.  There will be a map test at the end of next week. Checked last night's reading homework.  Make sure to turn yours in.  Finished notes from yesterday on the Supreme Court.  Get the notes from a classmate.  Also, pull the 1/2 sheet of notes on the duties of the Chief Justice.

Homework: Read the Roberts/O'Connor comparison page.  Highlight his beliefs in one color and O'Connor's in another.  Start reviewing the Gulf States Map.  Be prepared to take a test over the map next week on Thursday, September 22.

Friday,

September 16

Class work: Checked last night's homework.  Then, read the articles on John Roberts, nominee for Chief Justice.  Pull the pages from the in-class folder or download them here: Page 1, and Page 2.  Read all both and underline or highlight short phrases of important information.  Played Current Events game during the second half of class.

Homework: Start reviewing the Gulf States Map.  Be prepared to take a test over the map next week on Thursday, September 22.

Monday,

September 5

Labor Day - No School

Tuesday,

September 6

Class work: Collected homework. Students shared facts from the articles that they brought in.  The class was given time to go back and fill in their video sheets from Friday and then these were handed in.  Started to fill in the map on the Gulf States.  Pull one from the in-class folder or download it here.  Borrow my map or a classmate's to fill yours out.

Homework:  None

Wednesday,

September 7

Class work:  Finished filling in the Gulf States map from yesterday. Read the article, He Held Their Lives in his Tiny Hands.  Watched a video clip on the problems of poverty in New Orleans.  The tape was only ten minutes.  See me to schedule a time to make up watching it.

Homework: Pull from the in-class folder or download here the article Stormy Question.  Read it and use the information in the reading and from what you saw in the video to answer the questions on the back of the article.

Thursday,

September 8

Class work: Collected homework.  The class debated the government response to Hurricane Katrina.

Homework: Read the San Francisco earthquake page.  On the front side, underline or highlight short phrases of important facts.  On the back side, underline what opinions you agree with and circle those opinions that you disagree with. (Or you can highlight in two different colors for the reading on the back of the paper.)

Friday,

September 9

Class work: Discussed the homework on the San Francisco earthquake reading. This was checked for homework points. Make sure to turn yours in.  Read the page "This is a National Disgrace."  We will continue with the article on Monday.

Homework: None

Monday,

August 29

Teacher workday - No school for students.

Tuesday,

August 30

Class work: Assigned seats.  Filled out the information sheet and the student survey on the back of the information sheet.  Played a name game, which has nothing to be made up. 

Homework: 3-ring, one-inch binder, with eight tabs needed by Sept. 2

Wednesday,

August 31

Class work:  While looking at pictures of the damage of Hurricane Katrina, we discussed current world events.  The class discussed topics that they'd like to explore this semester.

Homework: 3-ring, one-inch binder, with eight tabs needed by Friday, September 2

Thursday,

September 1

Class work:  Went over the syllabus and notebook requirements.  Make sure to pull one from the in-class make-up work folders or download it one page at a time.  Packet files:  syllabus, notebook directions, note-taking tips, participation tips, abbreviations for note-taking, tips for three-ring binders, ways to improve your study environment - front side and back-side, tips for remembering when studying, strategies for reviewing notes, how to dissect an essay question, key question words, grammar checklist 1, grammar checklist 2, Homework Now explanation page, and the online grade explanation page.  In the second half of class, we watched Bush's statements about hurricane recovery.  To finish tonight's homework, you will need to schedule a time to make up this video clip.

Homework: 3-ring, one-inch binder, with eight tabs needed by Friday, September 2.  Using the President's statements from the video and the reading on looting, write one paragraph (5 to 7 sentences).  Use details from the video and the reading to support your opinion about what should be done with the looters from Hurricane Katrina.

Friday,

September 2

Class work: Checked notebooks for points, see me to have yours graded.  Looked at the two articles "Engineers Had Warned of a Looming Disaster" and "Astrodome to Become New Home for Storm Refugees."  If you are interested, pull the pages from the in-class folder on the make-up work table.  Today, we spent the majority of the period watching hurricane footage.  Pull the video worksheet from the in-class folder or download it here.  Then you will need to schedule a time to make this up. 

Homework: Read the "All Urged to Leave" article.  While reading, underline or highlight short phrases of important information.  Also,  find an article on Hurricane Katrina to bring in for Monday.